Celebrate Big, Spend Smart: Prepping For Chinese New Year 2026

Chinese New Year (CNY) has a way of sneaking up on us. One moment it’s “still got time, lah”, the next it’s reunion dinners to book, angpaos to pack, and shopping malls blasting festive jingles on repeat. The excitement is real; the food, the family, the long awaited break, and also the spending.

For many Malaysians, CNY is also seen as the first real financial test of the year. It sets the tone for how we manage our money in the months ahead, often leaving us to juggle joy on one hand, and a bank account on the other. This year, the goal is not to celebrate less — but to celebrate smarter; because enjoying tradition shouldn’t mean starting 2026 in full financial recovery mode.

A Quieter CNY?

Have you noticed it too? The build-up to Chinese New Year this year feels a little quieter. Sure, we still have some over-the-top decorations in some places, but there appears to be a less frantic shopping energy, and not quite the same boisterous buzz weeks in advance. It’s not that CNY is losing its spark, it just feels more restrained.

Maybe this shift is intentional. After years of rising costs and cost-of-living fatigue, many Malaysians seem to be approaching CNY with a more measured mindset. The celebrations are still very much on, just on a smaller, more thoughtful scale.

We’re seeing more intimate gatherings, tighter angpao budgets, and more cost-sharing among families. Spending feels less impulsive and more planned; less “buy first, think later”, more intention behind every ringgit. In many ways, this quieter CNY isn’t about doing less. It’s about choosing sustainability over excess, and starting the year on steadier financial footing.

Crafting A CNY Budget That Actually Works

Before the spending begins, it helps to get clear on where your money is going. A simple way to do this is to break your CNY expenses into realistic buckets: angpao, reunion dinners and festive food, clothes, travel, and decorations or gifts. Nothing fancy — just enough to see the full picture.

Start by setting a maximum total budget, then work backwards. Decide how much you’re comfortable spending overall before allocating amounts to each category. This keeps small purchases from quietly adding up.

As a general guide, try not to spend more than one month’s worth of disposable income on CNY. It’s not a hard rule, but a helpful boundary that lets you celebrate generously without carrying the financial weight into the rest of the year.

Reckless Generosity

Angpao inflation is real. Every year, the “usual amount” somehow creeps up, often driven more by comparison than intention. Deciding how much to give can feel awkward, especially when unspoken expectations come into play. 

The key is to decide your angpao amounts before the visits begin, not at the door. Set tiers that make sense for your own finances and stick to them. Generosity isn’t a competition, it’s about sincerity, not squeezing yourself dry to keep up appearances.

Festive Shopping With No Regrets

Festive sales have a way of making everything feel urgent and necessary. Add BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) options into the mix, and it becomes even easier to overspend without feeling it immediately. Used responsibly, BNPL can help manage cash flow, but only if you already planned for the expense. Simply ask yourself this question: Will I still be using this after CNY? If the answer is no, it may not be worth the long-term repayment.

Feast Rationally, Not Royally

Food often becomes the biggest CNY expense without us realising it. Reunion dinners, snacks for guests, and house hopping treats add up quickly over a few days. Planning ahead makes a big difference. Share costs where possible, avoid over-ordering “just in case”, and remember that abundance doesn’t have to mean excess. A well-planned meal is just as meaningful, and far less wasteful.

Post-CNY Financial Reset

Once the festivities wind down, take a moment to check how much you actually spent. Compare it with what you planned and try not to beat yourself up. Instead, make an effort to understand where all of your money went.

If CNY spending ran higher than expected, adjust your March expenses to rebalance things out. Cut back where you can, pause unnecessary purchases, and give your finances some breathing room. Any leftover angpao money or unused budget can be redirected to more useful places, like topping up your emergency fund or paying down balances.

A Few Small Money Moves To Make Before CNY

Here are a few more money tips to help prep you for a more smooth and sustainable CNY:

• Set a clear angpao cap and stick to it
• Withdraw cash early to avoid last-minute ATM stress. Alternatively try utilising e-Angpao
• Pause non-essential subscriptions for the month
• Decide which expenses you’ll pay in cash to stay mindful
• Keep a simple list of planned CNY spending and maybe even note down the unplanned expenditure

Small steps like these make it much easier to enjoy the season without financial anxiety. Chinese New Year isn’t about spending the most or hosting the biggest celebrations. It’s about connection, tradition, and starting the year with a positive mindset. Celebrating smart doesn’t take away from the joy, it protects it from an uncertain future and ensures future prosperity.

As we head into 2026, a calmer, more intentional approach to CNY might just be the most prosperous one yet.